One of the great hopes for the Christian is that the separation imposed by death is only temporary. Though all grieve the loss of loved ones, the saved know that all believers will be reunited together in Heaven. We look forward to this glorious reunion, but many wonder if they will recognize their loved ones when they get to heaven.

The Bible does not give a direct answer. Some of what the Bible says about heaven gives guidance towards an answer to this question. The Bible teaches that all the saved will be robed in new bodies, glorified bodies, in heaven. First Corinthians says that at the resurrection the Christian will be given a celestial body. Paul illustrates the difference between the earthly body and the celestial body is as different as a seed is from the plant which grows. The body we have in heaven will not suffer under the effects of sin. The glorified body will be entirely perfect. The Christian’s heavenly body is nothing like the body we have now on earth.

Despite the difference between the heavenly and earthly bodies, every time a glorified saint is seen they are recognizable to others. When Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man in hell saw Abraham in heaven and recognized him. At the Mount of Transfiguration the disciples saw the glory of Jesus briefly revealed. They also saw two Old Testament saints speaking to Jesus, Moses and Elijah. These men were recognizable to the disciples. We don’t know how, since Moses and Elijah died long before the disciples lived. Yet, the two men were recognizable for who they were.

Most telling is that Jesus was recognizable after His ascension and in His overwhelming glory. Late in his life the Apostle John saw a vision of a man surrounded by golden candlesticks. John said that one was “like unto the Son of Man.” (Revelation 1:13) John then describes the overwhelming glory of Jesus, but despite the incredible display of Jesus’ majesty, He was still recognizable to one who knew Him. This suggests that Christians in heaven will also be recognizable to those who knew them on earth. 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”